On Tuesday our DYW Group held a Careers Awareness Day. Employers who attended the event shared their career journey, a typical workday, education requirements and details of the apprenticeships/trainee schemes their organisation offers. This was an opportunity for students to speak with someone whose career choice interests them and to explore areas they may not have considered before.

Thank you so much to the 25 organisations who took part in the event. The students thoroughly enjoyed having you here to share your expertise. We have had so many positive comments about the experience already. We really appreciate your support in inspiring our students’ career plans. Your input will have such a valuable impact on their future.

Senior Students – Anthony Nolan Recruitment Event

On the 27 November, The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) delivered a presentation to students about the life saving partnership the SFRS have formed with the blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan. The aim is to raise awareness of the work of the charity and also to encourage volunteers to join the donor register. Any students (or teachers) between the age of 16 and 30 are eligible to sign up to be a potential lifesaver. Over the last 10 years the SFRS volunteers have added over 15,500 people to the bone marrow register and, to date, this has given 53 seriously ill patients a chance of survival through a stem cell or bone marrow transplant.

The SFRS representative explained all that is involved in the process with a view to recruiting volunteers in school on Friday 6 December. A swab of the inside of the cheek is all that is required to join the register and the process for bone marrow donation is very straightforward but for anyone with any concerns there is further information available at the Anthony Nolan website at…

All attending students were given information about becoming a member of the donor register and we have encouraged them to discuss this with someone at home before deciding to volunteer to join the register. Below is a link to a short video they were shown as part of the presentation, this will give you more information about what becoming a member of the bone marrow donor register will involve:

We know that it may not be for everyone though and would therefore encourage you to discuss the literature with your son/daughter. Should you require any further information about the recruitment event please do not hesitate to contact admin@dunbargrammar.elcschool.org.uk

Show My Homework

All students from S1-S3 should now be using Show My Homework regularly to access and submit their homework. Parents and carers also have access to view homework. Log in details can be obtained from the school office.

Change to payments to school – Schoolpay

A reminder that payments are cashless for regular payments. Parents and carers should sign up to SchoolPay. The school office will be able to help you to sign up, if you need assistance, just ask. You can also contact the dedicated On Line Payments team on Tel: 01620 827562 or email onlineschoolpayments@eastlothian.gov.uk who will be happy to help you. Please see the attached letter: Letter

Whole School Photograph

Order forms for the whole school photo are available for collection from the school office. Order forms are due back by Thursday 5 December.

U16 Rugby Final

We are delighted that our U16 Rugby Team are through to the SRU Schools Shield competition Finals on Wednesday 4 December and will play Hutchesons’ Grammar School at the Oriam at 12pm.

Due to a training event that day, we are unfortunately unable to staff a school supporters’ bus to travel to the event. However, Dunbar Rugby Club has very kindly offered to run one and will be able to offer places for students in S4/5/6. However, this event will not be run as a school trip and there will be no school staff on the bus. Therefore, we ask parents/carers to inform the school if their son or daughter will be absent and attending the match.

Places can be booked by emailing Dunbar RFC Development officer on rfc.development@outlook.com. We would like to wish the U16s good luck, it is a phenomenal achievement to reach the Finals and we are really proud of the team and the coaches!

Foundation Apprenticeship Science Roadshow

The FA in Scientific Technologies is an excellent opportunity for your child to gain over 250 hoursexperience in a research lab over S5 and S6. Not only does this two-year course count as a Higher towards University entrance, it can also lead to well-paid employment in the Science Industry straight from school (via a Modern Apprenticeship). The course has been running for two years now and is proving to be very successful with our students. There will be a presentation to our S4 students on Thursday 12 December at 8.40am in the assembly hall during which students will learn more about the course from Mr Dickson, scientists and current FA students. You are most welcome to attend this in order to find out more about this unique opportunity. Please advise the school office if you wish to attend this event.

Christmas Dances

S1/2 – Tuesday 10 December – 6:30-9pm.

S5/6 – Thursday 12 December – 6:30-9:30pm.

S3/4 – Monday 16 December – 6:30-9:30pm.

Tickets will be on sale, from Monday 25 November, in the social area at breaktimes & lunchtimes. Tickets will NOT be on sale the night of the dances. They must buy the tickets beforehand. Cost £3:50

S2 Activities Week 2020

Please note if paying by instalments, that the next payment is due by Monday 2 December.

Battlefields

The next payment instalment for Battlefields is now due.

Information Update

We still have outstanding PC1s and Annual Data Check forms which are required to be checked by parent/carers, updated as appropriate, signed and returned. Please can they be handed in ASAP.

ELC is carrying out a review to find out how well East Lothian children and young people are supported at school. This will help us understand what works well and also what we need to improve.

You can help us by completing an online survey that gives you the opportunity to share your views. Use the web link below to complete the online survey. At the end of the survey you will have the opportunity to leave comments. All responses are anonymous.

The UK Government has approved a change to the date of next year’s early May bank holiday from Monday 4 May to Friday 8 May 2020 to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day. Please see the attached letter from Fiona Robertson, the Head of Education and Children’s Services and complete the survey: VE Day celebrations 2020 Consultation with Parent/Carers